Georgia Elliott-Smith (Director of Sustainability Consultancy) was engaged by one of the UK’s largest developers as Sustainability Champion on a scheme to demolish 7 existing buildings in Central London and create 100,000m2 of new premium office-led mixed use accommodation around a new public square.

As an industry leader, this high-profile client wished to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by incorporating best environmental and social practices on this major scheme. They wanted to explore effective ways to incorporate sustainability on speculative developments – a market that has traditionally had little regard for its long-term environmental and social impacts. 

The client identified a risk to their sustainability objectives due to the design and build form of contract. They engaged a Sustainability Champion to sit outside the D&B contract to monitor performance and drive best practice on the client’s behalf.

Successful outcomes to the project, included:

• BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating achieved for the entire development.
• High levels of energy efficiency achieved on a speculative office development - a significant improvement in this market.
• Huge media and market interest in the development, attracting excellent tenants and premium rents
  • Detailed lessons learned exercise compiled with the design and construction team to enable progress on future projects.
• The project has won numerous industry accolades including the Sustainable Development of the Year Award, RIBA Award, New City Architecture Award, Corporation of London Gold Award, Civic Trust Award, Major Project of the Year at the Building Awards and was also shortlisted for the Stirling Prize.